Page 66 of Roses and Skulls

He follows her with his eyes. “Yeah.”

And then as quick as shit, I find my back slammed against the wall, her dad’s ugly mug right in my face. He’s spitting mad. “You better remember who the fuck is in charge real fucking quick.”

“She is,” I tell him, turning my head and spitting the sucker out of my mouth.

He shoves himself off of me. “This isn’t a game, you dumb fuck.”

“Never said it was.”

He paces the patio.

“You need to trust her. She’s just being who she was raised to be. She’s trying to protect her,” I nod down towards the lake.

Dirk stops and glares at me.

“You’re not going to be around forever. You’ve been setting it up for men to watch her back her whole life. Jackson, the twins, JD, hell, the whole club. I want to be included in that group. I’m not going to hurt her, Dirk.”

His eyebrow climbs and he straightens to his full height. “If you think I can’t crush your skull right here, right now, you’re wrong. I’m not dead yet, kid.”

I stand up and walk out to the grass. “Let’s go. I’m willing to do what it takes. Even if that means taking a beating from you.”

His eyes follow me, his nostrils flaring. Instead of fighting me, he flips over a whole damn picnic table, making enough noise to draw the attention of his wife. And then he charges me, knocking me to the ground. I jump to my feet and manage a solid punch to the side of his face.

He reaches up and runs a finger over his now busted lip. He offers me a bloody grin right before his fist connects with my gut. Oh god. For an old man he’s fucking insanely strong.

I right myself as he circles me. “You think you have the balls to date my daughter?” he asks.

Keeping him in front of me, I turn around, noticing Jesse hasn’t moved. Her arms are crossed over her chest, but she doesn’t appear to be interested in stopping us.

“I think you know I do. Has anyone else ever gotten this far?” I ask, smirking at him.

His eyes narrow before he takes another swing. This time I’m ready for him. I duck, catching him with an uppercut right under his jaw. It doesn’t faze him. He just spits blood and spins around, clocking me right in the eye.

This dude is fucking crazy. But here I am, so maybe we’re both nuts.

We duke it out for a few more minutes before Big Dan steps between us. I’m not sure where he came from but I’m kind of glad he showed up, because I think Dirk and I would both fight to the death for her.

“I’m not fucking around, Dirk. I want her. And I’ll do anything to have her.”

He breathes heavily. “She’s too young.”

Dan stands between us, his eyes sliding to me. “Do you have a fucking death wish, kid?”

“No, I want a life with her. I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I promise. I promise I’ll always put her first.”

When neither of them responds, I throw my hands up in the air. “You trusted me with her last night.”

Dirk glares at me. “What did she talk about?”

I shake my head back and forth. “Oh, no way, I’m not going to betray her.”

“Not even for my blessing?” he asks.

Shoving my hands in my pocket, I turn to walk away. “No. Whatever she said to me, she said in confidence. Jesus, I just got her to start talking again. Kick me out, do what you gotta do but I’m not divulging her secrets.”

“Stop,” he says as I reach out to open the door to the warehouse. “Don’t fuck up, cause with her… well, I won’t do second chances.”

“I don’t plan on it.” And without looking at him, I head inside with the biggest fucking smile I’ve had on my face in some time.

---